Rays cut Nash loose

ST. PETERSBURG -- A day after he was released from a Louisiana jail, outfield prospect Greg "Toe" Nash was released by the Rays.

"We received information about what he pleaded guilty to," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "Once we received that information then we made an immediate decision."

Arrested in January and charged with aggravated rape of a 15-year-old girl, aggravated crime against nature and felony theft, Nash was sentenced Aug. 30 to serve 17 months in the Ascension Parish (La.) Jail on three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Prosecutors reduced the charges as part of a plea bargain. Nash's sentence was further shortened with credit for time served and good behavior.

The Rays signed him in 2000 out of a semipro league in rural Louisiana. He batted .240 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in 47 games with Princeton of the rookie league last season.

"I'm disappointed (with the decision), but I'm also confident that we will get him a job," said Nash's agent, Larry Reynolds. "I don't have any concerns with how he'll carry himself off the field."